Image not available
James Gillray
1756-1815
The first kiss this ten years!, or, The meeting of Britannia & Citizen François
[London] : Publishd. Jany. 1st. 1803. by H. Humphrey 27 St James's Street, [1803]
etching and aquatint, hand colored
image: 332 x 248 mm; plate mark: 353 x 252 mm; sheet: 361 x 262 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.518
Provenance
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary
Print shows a tall, thin, French officer kissing a fat, richly dressed, seated Britannia. His hat and sword lay on the carpet. Britannia's shield and trident rest on the wall behind her chair. He is sayingh: "Madame, permittez me, to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! & to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment!!!". She smiles with coy complacency, saying, "Monsieur, you are truly a well-bred Gentleman! - & tho' you make me blush, yet, you Kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho' I was sure you would Deceive me again!!!" Above them are portraits of George III and Napoleon, facing each other.
Associated names
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Ray, Gordon N. (Gordon Norton), 1915-1986, former owner.
Ray, Gordon N. (Gordon Norton), 1915-1986, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Department
Catalog link